Father of Controversial Journalist Kemi Olunloyo Passes Away Days to 90th Birthday
Dr. Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo, esteemed Nigerian mathematician, former Governor of Oyo State, and father to journalist Kemi Olunloyo, has died at the age of 89.
A brief statement from the family confirmed his passing in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, 2025.
“Omololu Olunloyo passed on to eternal glory at 1:40 am on the 6th of April 2025. We thank God for a life well spent. May the Lord Jesus rest his soul,” the statement read, without specifying the spokesperson.
His death comes just 10 days before what would have been his 90th birthday on April 14. Notably, in April 2024, Olunloyo had dispelled rumors of his death from his hospital bed at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, saying, “I’m still here, not yet gone.”
A Life of Brilliance and Service
Born on April 14, 1935, in Ibadan, Olunloyo was a trailblazer in academia and public service. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1961. His research focused on the numerical solutions to Eigenvalue problems of the Sturm–Liouville type, contributing significantly to number theory and applied mathematics.
Olunloyo ventured into politics at a young age, becoming Commissioner for Economic Development in the Western Region at just 27. Over the years, he served in key ministries such as Education, Community Development, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He played vital roles in the installation of revered traditional rulers, including Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III (Alaafin of Oyo) and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewunmi.
In October 1983, he was elected Governor of old Oyo State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), defeating Bola Ige of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). His tenure was cut short by the military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983.
Despite his brief stint as governor, Olunloyo remained a major political figure in Oyo State. He was an influential voice within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012.
He held several strategic roles, including Chairmanship of the Western Nigerian Development Corporation and leadership of multiple development and political committees.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dr. Olunloyo was born to Horatio Olunloyo, a Christian, and Alhaja Bintu Tejumola Abebi Olunloyo, a devout Muslim who lived to the age of 102. He lost his father at the age of 13.
He leaves behind a legacy of intellectual distinction, political service, and cross-generational impact. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s academic and political narrative.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in the coming days.
